When you bring a puppy home, the first thing to consider is its diet. Good nutrition is important for health, growth, and development. Adult dogs have an easier diet, but puppies need special care. Let’s see how to feed a puppy in the first year of life and discover the best platform for buying and selling dogs in the USA.
Feeding a Puppy at One Month
A puppy’s main food in the first month is its mother’s milk. This milk contains important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. It helps build a strong immune system and is easy to digest.
What to Do If the Mother Cannot Feed the Puppy?
If the mother is not available, you need to use puppy milk replacers. These are special formulas designed for puppies. They contain the right amount of fat, proteins, and vitamins. They do not have harmful ingredients like starch or artificial colors.
Mix the milk replacer with warm water as instructed. Feed the puppy every three hours using a bottle with a nipple, a pipette, or a syringe without a needle. After some time, the puppy can drink from a shallow dish. Do not feed cow or goat milk. It has too much lactose and not enough fat. This can cause diarrhea and poor growth.
How Often to Feed a One-Month-Old Puppy
A one-month-old puppy should eat 5–6 times a day. Puppies have small stomachs and need food often. Small meals help them grow strong and healthy.
What Homemade Food Can Puppies Eat?
When a puppy is about three weeks old, you can start giving it soft food. Some good options include:
- Mashed cottage cheese with a little whey
- Soft, wet puppy food
- Small portions of fine-grain porridge (oatmeal, rice, buckwheat, millet)
At four weeks, puppies can start eating lean minced meat like beef or chicken. Start with a small teaspoon per day and slowly increase. You can also introduce small amounts of vegetables, berries, and fruit.
Foods Puppies Should Never Eat
Some foods are harmful to puppies. Avoid:
- Sausages, smoked meats
- Spicy, salty food
- Chocolate, sugar, baked goods
- Pork and fatty meats
- Onions, garlic, avocado
- Milk
- Pasta, potatoes
- Citrus fruits
- Bones (especially cooked and hollow bones)
- Grapes, raisins
- Mushrooms
Raw meat, eggs, and fish may contain parasites. Always cook them lightly before feeding.
Feeding Puppies Older Than One Month
As puppies grow, their diet changes:
- 2–4 months: Puppies still need porridge, cottage cheese, and milk. Meat is given in small portions or as softened dry puppy food. At four months, you can add quail eggs and low-fat dairy. Feed 5 times a day.
- 4–6 months: Introduce organ meats like liver, heart, and kidneys. They should be only 10–15% of the total diet. Occasionally, feed cooked boneless fish. Feed 4 times a day.
- 6–9 months: Puppies can eat soft bones like lamb ribs. Meat becomes the main food source. Feed 3 times a day.
- 9–12 months: Small and medium breeds can transition to adult food. Large breeds should stay on puppy food until 1.5 years old.
Choosing the Right Diet
By three months, owners must decide between homemade food or commercial dog food. Each has benefits:
- Dry food: Convenient, balanced, and developed for different breeds and sizes. High-quality brands provide all the necessary nutrients. The downside is that you cannot control the exact ingredients.
- Natural food: Fresh, chemical-free, and easy to digest. However, it takes time to prepare and must be balanced properly.
Choose the best option for you and your puppy. Do not mix dry and homemade food. Sudden diet changes can upset digestion.
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Conclusion
Feeding a puppy correctly is essential for its health and growth. Start with mother’s milk or a replacer, then introduce soft food. Avoid harmful foods and choose the best diet for your puppy’s needs. With proper nutrition, your puppy will grow into a strong and happy dog. Providing balanced meals, fresh water, and a feeding schedule tailored to your puppy’s breed and size will set the foundation for a lifetime of good health. A well-fed puppy is not only more energetic and playful but also develops a strong immune system and a shiny coat.
